Changes

83:7.2 Among [[primitive]] peoples only about one half the marriages proved satisfactory. The most frequent [[cause]] for separation was barrenness, which was always blamed on the [[wife]]; and childless wives were believed to become snakes in the [[spirit]] world. Under the more [[primitive]] [[mores]], [[divorce]] was had at the [[option]] of the man alone, and these [[standards]] have [[persisted]] to the twentieth century among some peoples.

83:7.2 Among [[primitive]] peoples only about one half the marriages proved satisfactory. The most frequent [[cause]] for separation was barrenness, which was always blamed on the [[wife]]; and childless wives were believed to become snakes in the [[spirit]] world. Under the more [[primitive]] [[mores]], [[divorce]] was had at the [[option]] of the man alone, and these [[standards]] have [[persisted]] to the twentieth century among some peoples.

83:7.3 As the [[mores]] evolved, certain [[tribes]] [[developed]] two forms of marriage: the ordinary, which permitted [[divorce]], and the [[priest]] marriage, which did not allow for separation. The [[inauguration]] of wife purchase and wife [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowry dowry], by introducing a [[property]] penalty for marriage failure, did much to lessen separation. And, indeed, many [[modern]] [[unions]] are [[stabilized]] by this [[ancient]] [[property]] [[factor]].

83:7.3 As the [[mores]] evolved, certain [[tribes]] [[developed]] two forms of marriage: the ordinary, which permitted [[divorce]], and the [[priest]] marriage, which did not allow for separation. The [[inauguration]] of wife purchase and wife [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowry dowry], by introducing a [[property]] penalty for marriage failure, did much to lessen separation. And, indeed, many [[modern]] [[unions]] are [[stabilized]] by this [[ancient]] [[property]] [[factor]].

83:7.4 The [[social]] [[pressure]] of [[community]] standing and [[property]] [[privileges]] has always been potent in the [[maintenance]] of the marriage [[taboos]] and [[mores]]. Down through the ages marriage has made steady [[progress]] and stands on advanced ground in the [[modern]] world, notwithstanding that it is threateningly assailed by widespread dissatisfaction among those peoples where [[individual]] [[choice]]—a new [[liberty]]—figures most largely. While these upheavals of [[adjustment]] appear among the more [[progressive]] races as a result of suddenly [[accelerated]] [[social]] [[evolution]], among the less advanced peoples marriage continues to thrive and slowly improve under the [[guidance]] of the older [[mores]].

83:7.4 The [[social]] [[pressure]] of [[community]] standing and [[property]] [[privileges]] has always been potent in the [[maintenance]] of the marriage [[taboos]] and [[mores]]. Down through the ages marriage has made steady [[progress]] and stands on advanced ground in the [[modern]] world, notwithstanding that it is threateningly assailed by widespread dissatisfaction among those peoples where [[individual]] [[choice]]—a new [[liberty]]—figures most largely. While these upheavals of [[adjustment]] appear among the more [[progressive]] races as a result of suddenly [[accelerated]] [[social]] [[evolution]], among the less advanced peoples marriage continues to thrive and slowly improve under the [[guidance]] of the older [[mores]].

83:7.5 The new and sudden substitution of the more [[ideal]] but extremely [[individualistic]] [[love]] [[motive]] in marriage for the older and long-[[established]] [[property]] motive, has unavoidably caused the marriage [[institution]] to become temporarily unstable. Man's marriage [[motives]] have always far [[transcended]] actual marriage [[morals]], and in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidental] [[ideal]] of marriage has suddenly far outrun the [[self]]-[[centered]] and but partially [[controlled]] [[sex]] impulses of the races. The [[presence]] of large numbers of unmarried [[persons]] in any [[society]] indicates the temporary breakdown or the [[transition]] of the [[mores]].

83:7.5 The new and sudden substitution of the more [[ideal]] but extremely [[individualistic]] [[love]] [[motive]] in marriage for the older and long-[[established]] [[property]] motive, has unavoidably caused the marriage [[institution]] to become temporarily unstable. Man's marriage [[motives]] have always far [[transcended]] actual marriage [[morals]], and in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidental] [[ideal]] of marriage has suddenly far outrun the [[self]]-[[centered]] and but partially [[controlled]] [[sex]] impulses of the races. The [[presence]] of large numbers of unmarried [[persons]] in any [[society]] indicates the temporary breakdown or the [[transition]] of the [[mores]].

83:7.6 The real test of marriage, all down through the ages, has been that [[continuous]] [[intimacy]] which is inescapable in all [[family]] life. Two pampered and spoiled [[youths]], [[educated]] to expect every indulgence and full [[gratification]] of [[vanity]] and [[ego]], can hardly [[hope]] to make a great success of marriage and [[home]] building—a life-long [[partnership]] of self-effacement, [[compromise]], [[devotion]], and unselfish [[dedication]] to child [[culture]].

83:7.6 The real test of marriage, all down through the ages, has been that [[continuous]] [[intimacy]] which is inescapable in all [[family]] life. Two pampered and spoiled [[youths]], [[educated]] to expect every indulgence and full [[gratification]] of [[vanity]] and [[ego]], can hardly [[hope]] to make a great success of marriage and [[home]] building—a life-long [[partnership]] of self-effacement, [[compromise]], [[devotion]], and unselfish [[dedication]] to child [[culture]].

83:7.7 The high [[degree]] of [[imagination]] and fantastic [[romance]] entering into [[courtship]] is largely [[responsible]] for the increasing [[divorce]] [[tendencies]] among [[modern]] [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidental] peoples, all of which is further complicated by [[woman]]'s greater [[personal]] [[freedom]] and increased [[economic]] [[liberty]]. Easy [[divorce]], when the result of lack of [[self]]-[[control]] or failure of [[normal]] [[personality]] [[adjustment]], only leads directly back to those crude societal [[stages]] from which man has emerged so recently and as the result of so much [[personal]] anguish and racial [[suffering]].

83:7.7 The high [[degree]] of [[imagination]] and fantastic [[romance]] entering into [[courtship]] is largely [[responsible]] for the increasing [[divorce]] [[tendencies]] among [[modern]] [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occident Occidental] peoples, all of which is further complicated by [[woman]]'s greater [[personal]] [[freedom]] and increased [[economic]] [[liberty]]. Easy [[divorce]], when the result of lack of [[self]]-[[control]] or failure of [[normal]] [[personality]] [[adjustment]], only leads directly back to those crude societal [[stages]] from which man has emerged so recently and as the result of so much [[personal]] anguish and racial [[suffering]].

83:7.8 But just so long as [[society]] fails to properly [[educate]] [[children]] and [[youths]], so long as the [[social]] order fails to provide adequate premarital [[training]], and so long as unwise and immature youthful [[idealism]] is to be the arbiter of the entrance upon marriage, just so long will [[divorce]] remain prevalent. And in so far as the [[social]] [[group]] falls short of providing marriage [[preparation]] for [[youths]], to that extent must divorce [[function]] as the social safety valve which prevents still worse situations during the ages of the rapid [[growth]] of the evolving [[mores]].

83:7.8 But just so long as [[society]] fails to properly [[educate]] [[children]] and [[youths]], so long as the [[social]] order fails to provide adequate premarital [[training]], and so long as unwise and immature youthful [[idealism]] is to be the arbiter of the entrance upon marriage, just so long will [[divorce]] remain prevalent. And in so far as the [[social]] [[group]] falls short of providing marriage [[preparation]] for [[youths]], to that extent must divorce [[function]] as the social safety valve which prevents still worse situations during the ages of the rapid [[growth]] of the evolving [[mores]].

83:7.9 The [[ancients]] seem to have regarded marriage just about as seriously as some present-day people do. And it does not [[appear]] that many of the hasty and unsuccessful marriages of [[modern]] times are much of an improvement over the ancient [[practices]] of qualifying young [[men]] and [[women]] for [[mating]]. The great inconsistency of [[modern]] [[society]] is to exalt [[love]] and to [[idealize]] marriage while disapproving of the fullest [[examination]] of both.

83:7.9 The [[ancients]] seem to have regarded marriage just about as seriously as some present-day people do. And it does not [[appear]] that many of the hasty and unsuccessful marriages of [[modern]] times are much of an improvement over the ancient [[practices]] of qualifying young [[men]] and [[women]] for [[mating]]. The great inconsistency of [[modern]] [[society]] is to exalt [[love]] and to [[idealize]] marriage while disapproving of the fullest [[examination]] of both.

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[[Category:Paper 83 - The Marriage Institution]]

[[Category:Paper 83 - The Marriage Institution]]